The High Road

Therapy Session

“Why should I take the high road?” I asked, folding my arms defensively. “People walk all over you when you do that.”

My psychologist didn’t flinch. “Taking the high road doesn’t mean letting people mistreat you, PJ. It means choosing actions that align with your values, not theirs.”

I stared at her, unconvinced. “So, I’m just supposed to let people get away with it?”

“You’re supposed to protect your energy,” she said gently. “When you respond with anger, resentment, or revenge, you give them control over your emotions. But when you take the high road, you reclaim your power.”

The Challenge

At the time, I wasn’t ready to hear it. But as luck would have it, life gave me the perfect opportunity to test her advice.

It started at work. A coworker I’ll call Lisa had been spreading lies about me—saying I didn’t pull my weight on projects and that my ideas were outdated.

I was furious. I wanted to confront her, call her out in front of everyone, and set the record straight. But my therapist’s words kept echoing in my mind: “When you respond with anger, you give them control.”

I decided to try something different. Instead of confronting Lisa, I focused on what I could control: my work. I documented my contributions, prepared a report showcasing my recent achievements, and scheduled a meeting with my manager.

The High Road in Action

When the meeting day arrived, I felt a mix of nerves and determination. Sitting across from my manager, I presented my report and explained my goals for the team.

To my surprise, she was enthusiastic. “I’ve been hearing some rumors about you, but this clears everything up,” she said, flipping through my report. “I had no idea you’d taken on so much lately. Great work, PJ.”

I walked out of that meeting feeling lighter. Lisa’s lies hadn’t defined me—I had.

The high road wasn’t easy, but it paid off. I didn’t need to stoop to her level to prove my worth.

Journal Reflection

That night, I wrote:

“Today, I realized something important: the high road isn’t about letting people get away with bad behavior—it’s about refusing to let their behavior control you. I wanted to lash out at Lisa so badly, but what would that have accomplished? Instead, I focused on what I could control: my work, my reputation, and my response.

By taking the high road, I didn’t just protect my energy—I reclaimed it. And that feels better than any revenge ever could.”

The Growth

I learned that the high road isn’t about ignoring problems—it’s about handling them with integrity. It’s about choosing actions that align with your values, not getting dragged into the chaos of someone else’s choices.

Taking the high road helped me reclaim my power and showed me that true strength lies in self-control, not in retaliation.

Reflect and Grow

Have you ever faced a situation where someone’s actions tested your patience or integrity? What choice did you make?

This week, I challenge you to consider one situation where you could take the high road. Focus on what you can control—your actions, your energy, and your values. Notice how it feels to reclaim your power.

Call to Action

PJ’s journey with The Plus One Theory continues in the next story, where she learns the power of perspective by reframing a setback into an opportunity for growth.

Do you have a “high road” story? Reply to this email—I’d love to hear how you handled it and what you learned and possibly feature it in our podcast!